Tissue Carton with Lights

ABSTRACT

An oval tissue carton is provided with a battery and sound-activated lights, such that upon withdrawal of tissues from the carton, the lights are activated for a short period of time. The lights can blink on and off several times before shutting off until the next tissue is withdrawn. Such cartons are particularly desirable for Holiday occasions.

This application claims priority from presently copending U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/178,173 entitled “Tissue Carton with Lights” filed on May 14, 2009, in the names of Lorrie Lynn Krynock et al. (Docket No. 64408787US01).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tissue cartons are typically provided with decorative graphics in order to complement the décor of the room in which they are placed. Consequently, there is always a need for further improvements in the appeal of tissue cartons so that consumers can feel comfortable placing them on display.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It has now been discovered that the appeal of tissue cartons can be taken to the next level by providing them with multiple lights that are activated by the sound vibrations associated with frictional forces created by withdrawing the tissues from the carton. Since tissue cartons typically have unused interior space, such space can be used to house a battery and any needed circuitry components without interfering with the dispensing of the tissues. Oval tissue cartons are particularly suitable because they have or can be provided with empty spaces in at least one of the two ends of the oval-shaped carton.

Hence in one aspect, the invention resides in a tissue product comprising: (a) a tissue carton, said tissue carton having a top, a bottom and one or more sidewalls, said top having a dispensing opening through which the tissues are withdrawn by a user; (b) a clip of interfolded tissues within the tissue carton; and (c) a battery located within the tissue carton, said one or more sidewalls containing a plurality of lights electrically connected with the battery via a sound transducer, wherein upon withdrawal of a tissue, vibrations associated with the tissue withdrawal temporarily activate the lights.

The lights are preferably small light emitting diodes (LEDs) because of their size, brightness and low power consumption. They can conveniently be positioned to protrude through the sidewall(s) of the tissue carton in desired locations. In one embodiment, the lights can be generally evenly distributed over the surface of the sidewall(s) of the carton. In other embodiments, the lights can be associated with graphics on the carton sidewall(s), such as having lights on a Christmas tree, a light within an ornament to convey sparkle, or lights representing stars in a scenic graphic image, for example. For purposes herein, lights which are “associated with graphics” means that the lights enhance the particular graphic image and are placed in particular positions that are not random.

The number of lights on the carton can be from about 5 to about 30 or more, depending upon the desired effect. More specifically, the number of lights can be from about 10 to about 25. For an oval carton, it is believed about 5 or 6 lights per side (front and back) is sufficient. For cartons with four sidewalls, from about 4-6 lights per sidewall can be advantageous. While more lights can be used, a balance must be struck between the number of lights, the battery life and the cost of the lights and the battery. The battery life should be sufficient to activate and operate the lights a number of times equal to the number of tissues within the carton. A typical number of tissues within such cartons is from about 75 to about 100, so the battery capacity should be sufficient for about 75 to about 100 light displays. Similarly, the length of time the lights are activated for each tissue withdrawal must also be considered and balanced against the battery life. In general, for each tissue withdrawal, the lights should be activated from about 2 to about 10 seconds, more specifically from about 3 to about 5 seconds, in order to provide the desired effect. Blinking lights are particularly advantageous in creating a festive display and also reduce the drain on the battery since the lights are not on for the full time of the display. In such cases, it is particularly advantageous if the individual blinking lights go on and off at different times, as opposed to all of the lights being on at one time and off at one time.

Sound-activated transducers with timed output and the associated circuitry are well known in the electrical and electronic arts. Such circuitry is disclosed, for example, in GB 2 135 536 A entitled “Sound responsive lighting system and devices incorporating same”, published Aug. 30, 1984; U.S. Pat. No. 6,561,671 issued May 13, 2003 to Wang et al. entitled “Case With Vibration-Activated Light Emitting Indication Apparatus”; U.S. Pat. No. 6,983,583 issued Jan. 10, 2006, to Bucher entitled “Lawnmower Tilt Sensor Apparatus and Method”; and U.S. 2004/0141321 published Jul. 22, 2004 by Dowling entitled “Lighting and Other Perceivable Effects for Toys and Other Consumer Products”, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Similar technology is used to turn room lights on and off by clapping one's hands.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an oval-shaped tissue carton in accordance with this invention, illustrating a generally even distribution of the lights on one side of the carton.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another oval-shaped carton in accordance with this invention, illustrating the lights being positioned in association with the graphics on the carton.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another oval-shaped carton in accordance with this invention, illustrating the lights being positioned in association with the graphics on the carton.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in further detail with reference to the following Figures. The use of the same reference number in the different figures is intended to represent the same features.

Directing attention to FIG. 1, shown is an oval tissue carton 1 having a single continuous sidewall 2, a top 3 having a dispensing opening 4 formed by an x-shaped slit in a plastic film 6 in the top of the carton. Not visible in this view is the bottom of the carton 7. The sidewall of the carton contains a plurality of lights 10 which are visible through corresponding holes in the sidewall. The lights can be recessed from the surface of the sidewall or they can protrude slightly from the surface. Either way, the lights are easily seen when lit.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment where the lights are positioned in association with the carton sidewall graphics. In this embodiment, the lights 10 are positioned on the top and tips of a Christmas tree 11.

FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment wherein the lights are positioned in association with the carton sidewall graphics. In this embodiment, the lights 10 are positioned within a graphic depiction of a light bulb 12.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing description, given for purposes of illustration, is not to be construed as limiting the scope of this invention, which is defined by the following claims and all equivalents thereto. 

1. A tissue product comprising: (a) a tissue carton, said tissue carton having a top, a bottom and one or more sidewalls, said top having a dispensing opening through which the tissues are withdrawn by a user; (b) a clip of interfolded tissues within the tissue carton; and (c) a battery located within the tissue carton, said one or more sidewalls containing a plurality of lights electrically connected with the battery via a sound transducer, wherein upon withdrawal of a tissue, vibrations associated with the tissue withdrawal temporarily activate the lights.
 2. The product of claim 1 wherein the lights are light emitting diodes (LEDs).
 3. The product of claim 1 wherein the activated lights are deactivated in about 20 seconds or less.
 4. The product of claim 1 wherein there are from about 5 to about 20 lights.
 5. The product of claim 1 wherein there are from about 10 to about 20 lights.
 6. The product of claim 1 wherein the lights are randomly positioned on the side sidewall(s).
 7. The product of claim 1 wherein the lights are positioned in association with graphics on the sidewall(s).
 8. The product of claim 1 wherein the lights blink on and off before being deactivated.
 9. The product of claim 1 wherein the tissue carton is an oval tissue carton. 